Former Perk Valley Resident Arrested For Bringing Guns To Ohio Movie Theater

A former resident of Perkiomen Valley and Pottstown has been arrested after bringing a gun, ammunition and four knives to a  in Ohio over the weekend.

In an unsettling connection to the last month that left 12 people dead, Scott A. Smith, 37, had bought a ticket to Saturday's 10 p.m. showing of The Dark Knight Rises at the movie theater.

According to Westlake police, Regal Cinema management had seen Smith entering the theater with some kind of a bag and alerted security. The bag was checked without finding anything suspicious, but an off-duty officer working security, and in full uniform, then tracked down Smith in his seat and asked to search the Maxpedition bag. Smith was the only person in the theater.

After getting permission from Smith, the officer searched the bag found a , three knives, some kind of medical supplies and what was described by police as "various survival equipment." A fourth knife was found on Smith's person.

Westlake police searched Smith's home Monday night, and also searched his car and phone. What police described as "numerous" weapons and ammunition were seized from his home.

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the case. Westlake police said possible charges are four counts of carrying various weapons, one count of carrying a concealed weapon and one count of having weapons under disability.

Attorney Says Smith Brought Weapons As Precaution

According to attorney Matthew Bruce, who is representing Smith, the and other incidents caused Smith to feel fear in attending the movie alone.

"He brought [the weapons] in with him purely for self-defense," Bruce said. "He had no intent to harm, scare or threaten anyone."

A bond hearing for Smith is set in Cuyahoga County court at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday. Bruce said he is hopeful that the bond will be "reasonable" for Smith to be released that day.

"He's holding up fine," Bruce said of Smith. "He's cooperating with police."

What happens after the bond hearing, Bruce said, depends on what the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office does in terms of formal charges.

"I don't know what path this will take without any charges yet," said Bruce. "It's too early to speculate without seeing the evidence."

Smith's Background

Between the year 2000 through 2004, Smith had listed addresses throughout the region, including stays in Skippack, Schwenksville, Harleysville, Royersford and Pottstown, according to the Reporter.

The Reporter's article also states that Smith had enlisted into the United States Army in January of 1995, and shipped off for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was discharged a month later, though the Army has declined to disclose the reason behind the seperation, according to the report.

Smith is currently married with an infant daughter.